Chair adapted to facilitate the performance of various exercises

ABSTRACT

A disclosed chair is adapted to facilitate the performance of various exercises. The chair includes a seat having opposed top and bottom surfaces, a base assembly attached to the bottom surface of the seat and adapted to support the seat, and a resistance cable having two opposed ends. One end of the resistance cable is connected to a component of the chair, and the other end is connected to a handle. In one embodiment, one end of the resistance cable is connected to the base assembly, and the other end is connected to the handle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to chairs, and more particularly tochairs adapted to facilitate the performance of exercises.

2. Description of Related Art

Office workers typically spend many hours a day sitting in a chair. Atthe same time, it is well known that physical activity is required todevelop and maintain physical fitness. Many different types of exercisemachines are available that are designed to force one or more muscles topush or pull against a mechanical resistance. However, such exercisemachines are so bulky and/or expensive that they are typically foundonly in health clubs or gymnasiums. Office workers often complain thatthey have too little time during the work day, and are too tired by theend of the work day, to travel to a health club or gymnasium to use oneor more exercise machines. It would thus be beneficial to have a chairsuitable for office use that facilitates the performance of variousexercises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A disclosed chair is adapted to facilitate the performance of variousexercises. The chair includes a seat having opposed top and bottomsurfaces, a base assembly attached to the bottom surface of the seat andadapted to support the seat, and a resistance cable having two opposedends. One end of the resistance cable is anchored by a component of thechair, and the other end is connected to a handle. In one embodiment,one end of the resistance cable is connected to the base assembly, andthe other end is connected to the handle. In another embodiment, thechair also includes a back support positioned adjacent the seat,attached to the base assembly, and having opposed front and backsurfaces. One end of the resistance cable is connected to the backsurface of the back support, and the other end is connected to thehandle.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In suchdrawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a chair adapted to facilitatethe performance of various exercises, wherein the chair includes twopairs of resistance cables exiting a bottom surface of a seat and a baseassembly adapted to support the seat;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an underside portion of one embodimentof the chair of FIG. 1 wherein the chair includes a single pair ofresistance cables exiting the bottom surface of the seat, and whereincomponents of the base assembly have been removed to facilitate viewing;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the chair of FIG. 3 wherein a userpositioned in the chair is using the pair of resistance cables toperform a lifting exercise;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the chair of FIG. 3 wherein the useris positioned in the chair and is using a resistance cable exiting aback surface of a back support to perform stomach crunches; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 1 wherein the user ispositioned in the chair and is using the pair of resistance cables toperform curls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a chair 10 adapted tofacilitate the performance of various exercises. The chair 10 issuitable for use in an office, and such chairs are commonly referred toas office chairs. Moreover, in the embodiment of FIG. 1 the chair 10 hasa high back, and such chairs are often referred to as executive ormanagerial office chairs.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the chair 10 includes a seat 12 having atop surface 14 and an opposed bottom surface 16, and a base assembly 18attached to the bottom surface 16 of the seat 12. In general, the baseassembly 18 is adapted to support the seat 12 at a user-selectedelevation above a floor surface.

In general, the chair 10 also includes at least one resistance cablehaving two opposed ends, wherein one of the ends is anchored by the baseassembly 18 and the other end is connected to a handle. While we specifythat the resistance cable is anchored by the base assembly, this shouldbe expressly defined to include any manner of attachment to the chair 10so that the resistance cable is anchored to facilitate the exercisesdescribed below. The specific point of attachment is not critical, andthe primary connection of the resistance cable may be to the seat, orsome other element of the chair, but is supported by the base assembly,this should be considered within the scope of the invention as claimed.Furthermore, the “handle” element should be broadly construed to includeany form of element that can be grasped for the purpose of exercising,as described below or as otherwise known in the art or to one skilled inthe art. The term “handle” should also be construed to include a clip ofother form of attaching mechanism that would enable the attachment of aseparate handle, strap, or other element to the resistance cable.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the chair 10 includes two pairs of lowfriction ports, each positioned adjacent a side edge of the bottomsurface 16 of the seat 12. A right side pair of the low friction portsare visible in FIG. 1 and labeled 20A and 20B. The low friction ports20A and 20B are positioned adjacent a right side edge 22 of the bottomsurface 16 of the seat 12. A resistance cable 24A passes through the lowfriction port 20A, and another resistance cable 24B passes through thelow friction port 20B. Ends of the resistance cables 24A and 24Bextending from the respective low friction ports 20A and 20B areattached to a handle 26A.

A similar left side pair of low friction ports are positioned adjacent aleft side edge of the bottom surface 16 of the seat 12. A resistancecable passes through each of the left side pair of low friction ports,and ends of the resistance cables attached to a handle similar to thehandle 26A.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the handles can be removably attached tothe bottom surface 16 of the seat 12 adjacent the corresponding sideedges. In FIG. 1 the handle 26A is shown in a stowed position whereinthe handle 26A is removably attached to the bottom surface 16 of theseat 12 adjacent the right side edge 22. In the stowed position, thehandle 26A is out of the way and significantly less visible.

In general, each of the resistance cables, including the resistancecables 24A and 24B, offers a mechanical resistance to a force applied tothe cable via the attached handle. In preferred embodiments, theresistance cables 24A and 24B are made from an elastic material.Suitable elastic materials include natural rubber (e.g., latex) and/orsynthetic rubber materials. In other embodiments, the resistance cablesmay include cables mounted on (e.g., wrapped around) a resistance devicethat provides mechanical resistance in a manner other than elasticity ofthe cable.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the resistance cables 24A and 24B arepieces of elastic tubing. When a force (i.e., a first force) is appliedto the resistance cables 24A and 24B via the attached handle 26A thatstretches the resistance cables 24A and 24B, the resistance cables 24Aand 24B exert a force (i.e., a second force) that opposes the firstforce. For example, the first force may be applied by upper body musclesof a user of the chair 10. As a result of the opposing second forceexerted by the resistance cables 24A and 24B, the upper body muscles ofthe user are advantageously exercised. Multiple resistance cables can beused in tandem, as are resistance cables 24A and 24B, to increase amagnitude of the opposing second force.

In general, the low friction ports are adapted to minimize abrasion ofthe resistance cables passing therethrough. In the embodiment of FIG. 1,each of the low friction ports, including the low friction ports 20A and20B, has multiple rollers positioned about an opening, wherein thecorresponding resistance cable passes through the opening. Other typesof low friction ports are possible and contemplated.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the chair 10 also includes a back support28 positioned adjacent a rear portion of the seat 12 and attached to thebase assembly 18. The back support 28 has a front surface 30 and a backsurface 32. A resistance cable 34 passes through a low friction port 36adjacent an upper edge 38 of the back surface 32 of the back support 28.The resistance cable 34 has two opposed ends. One of the ends of theresistance cable 34 is connected to the back surface 32 of the backsupport 28, and the other end is connected to a handle 40.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the handle 40 is a looped portion of theresistance cable 34 and an end of the resistance cable 34 extending froma knot. In other embodiments, the handle 40 may be, for example, a bar,and the end of the resistance cable 34 connected to the handle 40 may beconnected to a center portion of the bar.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the resistance cable 34 is a piece ofelastic tubing. In other embodiments, the resistance cable 34 may be,for example, an elastic band. Further, the resistance cable 34 mayinclude a cable mounted on (e.g., wrapped around) a resistance devicethat provides mechanical resistance in a manner other than elasticity ofthe cable. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the low friction port 36includes multiple rollers positioned about an opening, and wherein theresistance cable 34 passes through the opening. In general, the lowfriction port 36 is adapted to minimize abrasion of the resistance cable34 passing therethrough. As described above, other types of low frictionports are possible and contemplated.

When a force (i.e., a third force) is applied to the resistance cable 34via the attached handle 40 that stretches the resistance cable 34, theresistance cable 34 exerts a force (i.e., a fourth force) that opposesthe third force. For example, the third force may be applied by upperbody muscles of the user of the chair 10. As a result of the opposingfourth force exerted by the resistance cable 34, the upper body musclesof the user are advantageously exercised. Multiple resistance cables canbe used in tandem with the resistance cables 34 to increase a magnitudeof the opposing fourth force.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the base assembly 18 includes a verticalcolumn 42 connected between a support structure 44 and a frame. Thesupport structure 44 has 5 radial arms, and each of 5 casters 46 isattached to an end of a corresponding one of the 5 radial arms. Thevertical column 42 passes through, and extends upward from, a centerportion of the support structure 44. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, thevertical column 42 includes a pneumatic cylinder and an associatedvertical height adjustment mechanism. An upper end of the verticalcolumn 42 is attached to the frame, and the bottom surface 16 of theseat 12 is also attached to the frame.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the back support 28 is attached to theframe of the base assembly 18 via a hinge assembly 48. The chair 10 alsoincludes a pair of arm supports 50A and 50B pivotally connected to theframe of the base assembly 18. During the performance of exercises usingthe resistance cables 24A and 24B, the arm support 50A canadvantageously be pivoted up and back to a raised position wherein thearm support 50A is out of the way. The arm support 50B can similarly bepivoted up and back to a raised position wherein the arm support 50B isout of the way during the performance of exercises using the pair ofresistance cables on the other side of the chair 10.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the chair 10 of FIG. 1. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2, the arm support 50A is connected to the frame of the baseassembly 18 via a pivot joint 60A adjacent the hinge assembly 48, andthe arm support 50B is connected to the frame of the base assembly 18via a pivot joint 60B.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an underside portion of one embodimentof the chair 10 of FIG. 1 wherein the chair 10 includes two low frictionports, each positioned adjacent a side edge of the bottom surface 16 ofthe seat 12, and wherein components of the base assembly 18 includingthe support structure 44 have been removed to facilitate viewing. Theframe of the base assembly 18, described above, is labeled 70 in FIG. 3.An upper end of the vertical column 42 is attached to the frame 70, andthe bottom surface 16 of the seat 12 is also attached to the frame 70.

As described above, the back support 28 is attached to the frame 70 ofthe base assembly 18 via the hinge assembly 48. The arm support 50A isconnected to the frame 70 via the pivot joint 60A adjacent the hingeassembly 48, and the arm support 50B is connected to the frame 70 viathe pivot joint 60B.

A low friction port 66A is positioned adjacent the right side edge 22 ofthe bottom surface 16 of the seat 12, and a resistance cable 68A passesthrough the low friction port 66A. One end of the resistance cable 68Ais attached to the frame 70, and the other end of the resistance cable68A is attached to the handle 26A.

Another low friction port 66B is positioned adjacent a left side edge ofthe bottom surface 16 of the seat 12, and a resistance cable 68B passesthrough the low friction port 66B. One end of the resistance cable 68Bis attached to the frame 70, and the other end of the resistance cable68B is attached to a handle similar to the handle 26A.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the low friction ports 66A and 66B areattached to the frame 70, and each includes multiple rollers positionedabout an opening. The resistance cable 66A passes through the opening inthe low friction port 66A, and the resistance cable 66B passes throughthe opening in the low friction port 66B. As described above, othertypes of low friction ports are possible and contemplated.

In FIG. 3, the resistance cables 66A and 66B are in retracted positions.A ball 72 positioned along the resistance cable 66A is larger than theopening in the low friction port 66A, ensuring a portion of theresistance cable 66A attached to the handle 26A extends from the lowfriction port 66A when the resistance cable 66A is in the retractedposition. A similar ball positioned along the resistance cable 66Bensures a portion of the resistance cable 66B attached to thecorresponding handle extends from the low friction port 66B when theresistance cable 66B is in the retracted position.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the chair 10 of FIG. 3 wherein auser 80 positioned in the chair 10 is using the resistance cables 66Aand 66B to exercise. In FIG. 4, the arm supports 50A and 50B areadvantageously pivoted up and back to the raised positions wherein thearm supports 50A and 50B are out of the way. The handle attached to theend of the resistance cable 66B is labeled 26B.

While performing the exercise, the user 80 uses his or her upper bodymuscles to stretch the resistance cables 66A and 66B, thereby applying aforce “F1” to the resistance cable 66A via the attached handle 26A and asimilar force to the resistance cable 66A via the attached handle 26B.In response, the resistance cable 66A exerts a force “F2” that opposesthe force F1, and the resistance cable 66B exerts a similar opposingforce. As a result of the opposing force F2 exerted by the resistancecable 66A and the similar opposing force exerted by the resistance cable66B, the upper body muscles of the user 80 are advantageously exercised.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the chair 10 of FIG. 3 wherein theuser 80 is positioned in the chair 10 and is using the resistance cable34 to exercise. In FIG. 5, the arm supports 50A and 50B are shownpivoted up and back to the raised positions. The user 80 uses his or herupper body muscles to stretch the resistance cable 34, thereby applyinga force “F3” to the resistance cable 34 via the attached handle 40. Inresponse, the resistance cable 34 exerts a force “F4” that opposes theforce F3. As a result of the opposing force F4 exerted by the resistancecable 34, the upper body muscles of the user 80 are advantageouslyexercised.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the chair 10 of FIG. 3 wherein theuser 80 is positioned in the chair 10 and is using the resistance cable66A to exercise. The arm supports 50A and 50B are shown pivoted up andback to the raised positions, although this is not necessarily required.The user 80 uses his or her bicep muscles to stretch the resistancecable 66A, thereby applying a force “F5” to the resistance cable 66A. Inresponse, the resistance cable 66A exerts a force “F6” that opposes theforce F5. As a result of the opposing force F6 exerted by the resistancecable 66A, the bicep muscles of the user 80 are advantageouslyexercised.

While the invention has been described with reference to at least onepreferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled inthe art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope ofthe invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appendedclaims.

1. A chair adapted to facilitate various exercises, the chaircomprising: a seat; a base assembly adapted to support the seat; and aresistance cable having two opposed ends, wherein one of the ends isanchored by the base assembly.
 2. The chair as recited in claim 1,wherein the other end of the resistance cable is connected to a handle.3. The chair as recited in claim 1, wherein the resistance cablecomprises a piece of elastic tubing.
 4. The chair as recited in claim 1,wherein when a first force is applied to the resistance cable via thehandle that stretches the resistance cable, the resistance cable exertsa second force that opposes the first force.
 5. The chair as recited inclaim 1, further comprising a low friction port positioned adjacent anedge of the bottom surface of the seat, wherein the resistance cablepasses through the low friction port.
 6. The chair as recited in claim5, wherein the low friction port is adapted to minimize abrasion of theresistance cable.
 7. The chair as recited in claim 5, wherein the lowfriction port comprises a plurality of rollers positioned about anopening, and wherein the resistance cable passes through the opening. 8.The chair as recited in claim 1, further comprising a back supportpositioned adjacent the seat and attached to the base assembly.
 9. Thechair as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pair of arm supportspivotally connected to the base assembly.
 10. A chair adapted tofacilitate various exercises, the chair comprising: a seat havingopposed top and bottom surfaces; a base assembly attached to the bottomsurface of the seat and adapted to support the seat; a back supportpositioned adjacent the seat, attached to the base assembly, and havingopposed front and back surfaces; and a resistance cable having twoopposed ends, wherein one of the ends is connected to the back surfaceof the back support and the other end is connected to a handle.
 11. Thechair as recited in claim 10, wherein the resistance cable comprises anelastic material.
 12. The chair as recited in claim 10, wherein theresistance cable comprises a piece of elastic tubing.
 13. The chair asrecited in claim 10, wherein when a first force is applied to theresistance cable via the handle that stretches the resistance cable, theresistance cable exerts a second force that opposes the first force. 14.The chair as recited in claim 10, further comprising a low friction portpositioned adjacent an upper edge of the back surface of the backsupport, wherein the resistance cable passes through the low frictionport.
 15. The chair as recited in claim 14, wherein the low frictionport is adapted to minimize abrasion of the resistance cable.
 16. Thechair as recited in claim 14, wherein the low friction port comprises aplurality of rollers positioned about an opening, and wherein theresistance cable passes through the opening.
 17. The chair as recited inclaim 14, wherein the a back support is attached to the base assemblyvia a hinge assembly.
 18. The chair as recited in claim 10, furthercomprising a pair of arm supports pivotally connected to the baseassembly.
 19. A method for exercising comprising the steps of: providinga chair; operably attaching a resistance cable to the chair; sitting inthe chair; and applying a force to the resistance cable for the purposeof exercise.